Major acts to draw big crowds at Richmond O Zone

The Nisga’a drummers, Hugh Boyd Secondary drum circle and the Tetsu Taiko drummers joined forces with the MacNeill Global Fusion Dancers to create beats celebrating World Bash night at the Richmond O Zone this week.

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This weekend will be a busy one at the O Zone as big names in Canadian music take the stage.

Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace, Juno-nominated punk band Marianas Trench and the Canadian Tenors, featuring Richmond’s own Fraser Walters, are all scheduled to perform on the main stage.

“By far the next three nights–Thursday, Friday and Saturday–have got the most public interest,” said city spokesman Ted Townsend.

Those wanting to see the shows are advised to show up well in advance.

“Give yourself lots of time to get there early and enjoy some of the rest of the site and get yourself a good spot on the field, certainly for Our Lady Peace and the Canadian Tenors particularly—we’re expecting big crowds,” said Townsend.

Townsend also reminds O Zone goers there are two other entrances to Minoru Park off Granville Avenue and Gilbert Road in addition to the main Minoru Boulevard entrance, which has experienced long lineups during big events.

Some 75,000 people filed into the O Zone for the first weekend of the 2010 Olympic Games to watch the opening ceremonies, cheer on Olympians, hear live music and celebrate the Chinese New Year.

“Our Chinese New Year celebration was by far the biggest of our days so far,” said Townsend.

Taiwanese pop group F.I.R. played on Sunday night after Chinese New Year fireworks and a lions dance. Toronto reggae trio Bedouin Soundclash, who played on Friday, Feb. 12, also proved popular.

In addition to major musical acts, the O Zone will show the broadcast of Canada versus the United States in men’s preliminary round hockey Sunday as well as speed skating events.

“We’ve been blown away,” Townsend says of the response the city has so far received. Richmond residents have given positive feedback as have media and international visitors.

“They say the O Zone is the funnest and particularly the most family friendly of all of the celebration sites that they’ve been to,” said Townsend